KRATOM: The Newest Energy Drink

Dr. Supaporn Pitiporn, head of the herb product development project at Chaopraya Abhaiphubejhr Hospital, said the benefits of kratom outweigh its drawbacks.

He said the institute was assigned to conduct the study after the Public Health Ministry recommended that Thais should be able to grow kratom for personal use in line with their culture.

Supaporn said there is evidence kratom has been used as a herb by Thais since ancient times.

Supaporn said medical records before 1957 reveal that kratom was used as a traditional medicine for curing a number of ailments, including diarrhea, headaches, stomach aches and muscle pain.

“I think it’s time to make use of kratom as a herb for Thai traditional medicine practice. Traditionally, kratom was used as a painkiller, energizer, a drug to reduce sugar in the blood for diabetes, for making one to feel sleepy and making one feel awake. It can be used to increase men’s sex drive. It has been part of our culture,” she said in her article.